Heating unit



Oct. 28, 1941. w. J. RUSSELL HEATING UNIT Filed March 29, 1959 5 Sheet s-Sheet l Asa/40b mvsmon W/'///'am J Passe/l.

I 'RNEY 2 Oct. 28, 1941.

w. J. RUSSELL 2,260,790

HEATING UNIT Filed March 29, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 WITNESSES:

r uwsmon Wf/fiam Passe/Z Oct. 28, 194.1.

w. J. RUSSELL 2,260,790

HEATING UNIYT Filed March 29, l939 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 so s J 1 WITNESSES: 7}: INVENTOR 'ArrcSRNEY Oct. 28, 1941. w J RUSSELL 2,260,790,

HEATING UNIT Filed March 29, 1939 v 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 WITNESSES:

gia zfm ATTdRNEY Patented Oct. 28, 1941 ammo. UNIT William J. Russell,

Westinghouse pany, East Pennsylvania Mansfield, Ohio, assignor to Electric & Manufacturing Oom- Pittsburgh. Pa., a corporation of Application March a, 1939, Serial No. 264,775 Claims. (o1. 219-31) My invention relates to heating units and more particularly to an easily cleanable, open-type surface unit for electric ranges.

There has been considerable effort expended in the past to develop and produce an open gridtype range surface unit having a drip-pan or shield associated therewith which, .upon getting dirty and contaminated with continued use, could be easily cleaned. However, an inspection of the prior art indicates that, while there have been many ingenious attempts to provide an easily cleanable pan or shield, no pan or shield has heretoiore been, in any manner whatsoever, easily and at the same time thoroughly cleanable.

Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate the commercial and sanitary advantages of a range surface unit having an easily cleanable drip-pan or shield. In addition, provision for easily and quickly removing such pan or shield from the unit whereby an operator could place the pan or shield in the dishpan and thoroughly wash it whenever needed would produce even greater commercial and sanitary advantages.

It is, therefore, an object of my invention to provide a range surface'unit having a simple, inexpensive, rugged, dependable, easily removable I provide a supporting pan structure having porbetween the bottom sections to prevent any spill age from contacting the unit terminals.

. Still a further object of my invention is to tions adapted to be rotated about an axis inclined to the plane of such structure.

pointed .out specifically Another object of my invention is to provide a pan structure having hinged portions adapted to be rotated about a hinge pin the axis of which does not intersect the structure at any point.

Other objects of my invention will either be in the course of the following description of a device embodying my invention, or will be apparentfrom such description.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figures 1 and 2 are sectional views of a device embodying my invention in its normal operating position and in its elevated or cleaning position, respectively;

Figs. 3 and 4 are sectional views of a modified form of a device embodying my invention in its normal operating position, and in its elevated or cleaning positions, respectively;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line V--V of Fig, 2;

drip-pan or shield which an operator may quick- 1y remove from ing thereof.

A further object of my invention is to provide a range surface unit including a heating element and pan structure which may be retained in an the unit to permit thorough cleanelevated position above the surface of the range platform to permit adequate cleaning of the element and pan structure.

Anotheglobject of my invention is to provide retaining eans integral with a range surface unit structure which is adapted to retain or sup-' port the structure in an elevated position above the range platform.

- A still further object of my invention is to provide a pan structure adapted to support a heating unit upon a platform during normaluse thereof and to be readily removed therefrom when the unit has been displaced for cleaning purposes.

Another object of-my invention is to provide a heating unit support having a bottom with louvers therein which permit the free passage of sloppage or spillage therethrough'.

' A further object of my invention is -to provide a support for a heating unit which includes cooperating sections and means for retaining the sections incooperative engagement and for permitting the removal of'the support from the heating unit. 1

Still another object of my invention is to'provide a heating unit having a removable support with bottom sections and a terminal shield attached to .the unit adapted to bridge any gap Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line VI--VI of Fig. 4;

Figs. 7 and 8 are views taken along the line s VII-VII and VIII-VIII of Fig. 3, respectively;

Fig. 9 is a top plan view illustrating the pan structure shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 5;

Figs. 10, 11 and 12 are side elevational views of the supporting pan structure shown in Fig. 9;

Fig. 13 is a top plan view of the supporting pan shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 6.

Figs. 14, 15 and 16 are side elevational views of the supporting pan shown in Fig; 13;

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of the heating unit shown in Fig. 1 in its elevated positionyvith the heating element and pan structure thereof retained above the range platform and with the supporting pan structure partially removed from the heating element;

Fig. 18 is a partial sectional view similar to Fig, 3 illustrating a unit havinga modified pan strucure;

Fig. 19 is a partial elevational view of the unit illustrated in Fig. 18; and, I

Fig. 20 is aside elevational view of the unit of Fig. 18 shown in its elevated position, illustrating the removal of the modified pan structure.

range surface heating unit iii, including a heating element l2 and a supporting pan structure ll adapted to be supported on a rangev platformhot plate surface, or the like I! during the normal operations of such unit, and to be positioned above the platform it by means of a suitable retaining or elevating support structure 18 when it is desired to clean such unit. The pan structure i4 is retained in cooperative engagement about the heating element '2 by means of a suitable hinge structure 20 and latching clip structure 22.

The heating element II, in this instance, comprises an open grid formed of two sheathed members arranged in a spiral. The sheathed members. each comprise a resistor 26 embedded within suitable insulating material 21 surrounded by a metal sheath 24 in a well known manner. The insulating material 21 is preferably magnesium oxide or the like, and may be positioned within the metallic envelope II in a powdered form. The metallic sheath is formed of any suitable material which will permit the heating minal ends of the heating element II. This structure thus adequately protects the terminals and insulating bushings 28 from any extraneous matter which may pas down through the wit I. and along the depending ends of the sheathed members thereof.

With thecollars ll of the terminal shield 30 rigidly attached to the heating element l2 and with the terminal block 32 attached to the terminal shield I6, it follows that such members combine to form a rigid or functionally integral structure. 'Accordingly, it follows that if the element I! to operate satisfactorily at a high heating element I! be bodily moved in a manner temperature corresponding to red heat.

The sheathed members are formed into two separate substantially concentric spirals, and may be of either similar or varying wattages. The substantially concentric spirals are moimted in and attached to radially extending, transversely grooved supporting arms I! in a well known manner These arms"'are -adapted to be supported within the pan structure'fl in a manner hereinafter described.

It is to be understood that the heating element I! described herein and illustrated in the ac-"-...

companying drawings is used primarily for illustrative purposes, and that any other suitable heating element may be used in lieu thereof.

The ends of the tubular sheathed members extend downwardly from the main plane of the heating element i2 and terminate within suitable refractory insulating bushings 28. Suitable terminals are located at the lower ends of the sheathed members within the bushings 28 to afford means for connecting the heating element ii to a supply circuit (not shown). The bushings 28 are attached to a terminal block 32 which, in this instance, comprises an elongated inverted channel-like member 34 having outwardly and downwardly sloping sides 48. The channel ll is formed from any suitable metallic sheet and has formed therein a plurality of apertures 49 along the upper surface thereof for permitting the possage and retention of the bushings II.

A terminal shield 36 is positioned intermediate the heating element l2 and the terminal block 3!, and extends substantially diametrically across the heating unit it. The terminal shield 38 is substantially an elongated inverted channel having outwardly and downwardly sloping sides 46 and a plurality of apertures 38 located within the upper surface thereof to aii'ord suitable passage for the depending ends of the heating element i2. Upwardly extending collars "I may be located about the apertures 88 to form small vertical sleeves through which the depending ends of the heating element pass. These collars I! may be swedged tightly against the metallic sheathed heating members to prevent passage of liquids along the surface of the depending ends of such members and to retain the members in position as a functionally integral heating element.

Depending end portions 42 are, in this instance, located at either end of the terminal shield 38 to afiord means for rigidly attaching the terminal block 32 thereto by means of suitable screws l4. However, an additional U-shaped member 31 is rigidly attached to the terminal shield I near its as hereinafter described, the terminal shield I. and terminal block 32 will be moved therewith.

The supporting pan structure ll, in this instance, comprises two half pan structures 02 and 64 which cooperate to form an open pan-like structure or vessel having a deprused central structure within apertures II in the range plat-- form, i, as hereinafter described. Suitable depending'lugs 13 are integral with the flange II and, when the unit II is resting upon the supporting platform I in a normal operating position, retain such flange slightly above the supporting flange I! of platform I! to restrict the flow 01' heat therebetween. The two hall pan structures 82 and ii are vertically hinged together at one end by means of the hinge structure 20, and are retained in a cooperative engagement, so as to form the illustrated substantially open pan structure, by means of a suitable clip structure 22. However, it is to be understood that any other suitable pan structure may be used in lieu of pan structure H, some of which are hereinafter described.

The half pan structures 61 and 04 have semicylindxical sides 65 with horizontally positioned substantially semicircular bottom portions G and 88b. The portions "a and "b are, in this instance, formed integral with the respective sides 65. However, they may be formed as sep arate items and may then be rigidly attached to the sides or they may be loosely positioned within such sides. The diametrical internal edges 59a and'flb of the bottom portions .80 and 68b, when the half pan structures 82 and N are in cooperative engagement, may abut against or overlap each other.

A plurality of semicircular notches II are out within the abutting edges "a and "b of the bottoms ita and 38b. These notches 1| c operate to form substantially circular apertures within the bottom 68 of the pan structure I when the heating element I! through the pan structure ll,

and to permit the pan structure to be located about the heating elanent l2.

Inward); eatenllmg letes or lugs it are eitherv struck out from the sides 65 of the half pan structures 62 and 64 or are rigidly attached thereto. These ledges l2 afford means for supporting the heating element I2 by permitting the radially extending arms 29 to rest thereon, in a well known manner.

The hinge structure 20 which rotatively attaches the two half pan structures 62 and 64 together to form the hinged pan structure 4 comprises, in this instance, two elongated arcuate members 18 and 80 (see Fig. 9). These members are rigidly attached to the sides 65 of the pan structures 62 and 66 by spot welding, for example. However, such hinges may be formed integral with the sides 65. The cooperating or hinging ends thereof are displaced outward radially from the sides of the half pans 62 and 64 to a'position either corresponding to or beyond the outermost point of the supporting ledge or lip 10 and are retained in cooperative engagement by a hinge-pin 8|. The two half pan structures 62 and 64 may thus be rotated about the pin 8| of the hinge structure as an axis without causing any binding action at the ledge Ill, since all points of each wall of the ledge swing away from each other.

With the hinge pin 8| positioned outside the main pan structure, it follows that to permit the free passage of the hinge 20 as the unit I0 is located within the aperture ll, the unit must, be

tilted as it. passes through the aperture.

The pan structure I4 is thus adapted to be located about the heating element I2 and to support such element as described, and therefore, to catch any sloppage or spilled material which may pass through the grid-like heating element l2. However, this extraneous material is readily drained from the pan-structure H by downwardly and outwardly extending arcuate louvers 14 which are positioned, in this instance, one within each of the bottom portions 68a and 66b of the half pan structures 62 and 64. These louvers 14 are formed within the substantially horizontal bottom portions of the supporting pans 62 and 64 by having arcuate slots or apertures 16 cut therein with the inner portion of the bottom 68 pushed outwardly or downwardly.

The latching clip structure 22, which retains the two half pan structures 62 and 64 in cooperative engagement, comprises, in this instance, an elongated finger 82 which is rigidly attached to one half pan structure, say 64, (see Fig. 9) The free end of the finger 82 is bent outwardly to permit free cooperation with the second pan structure 66. An inwardly extending boss 64 is formed within the finger 82 to cooperate with an aperture 86 in the side wall of the .second half pan structure 66.

The latching clip structure 22, through the cooperation of boss 84 within aperture 86, thus affords means for retaining the two half pan structures 62 and 64 in a cooperative engagement about the heating element l2 in a manner hereinafter described.- Further, the hinge structure 22 affords means for permitting the two half pan structures 62 and 64 to be rotatively separated and to be easily removed from the heating element |2 in a manner hereinafter described.

The range platform, hot plate surface, or the like I6 is adapted to support the surface unit l8, including the supporting pan structure M in usual well known manner. Apertures H, which are circular in this instance, are located within the supporting platforms within which the surface units |0 are retained, preferably, slightly the above the surface of the platform during the normal operations of such units. Inwardly extending flanges or ledges l9 are located within the apertures IT for supporting the surface unit l0 by means of the pan structure M in a well known manner. Two notches 2| are located within the flange or ledge l8 substantially diametrically opposite to each other (see Figs. 1 and 1'7) for permitting the retaining or elevating supporting structure l8 to pass upwardly therethrough, whereby the surface unit structure l0 may be bodily moved upwardly and rotated within the aperture IT, as hereinafter described. It is to be understood that the number of notches 2| located within the flange will vary with the type of elevating support structure used, and may, in some instances, not be needed at all or may be more than two in number.

The retaining or elevating support structures I8, one on either end of the terminal shield 36, which support the surface unit ID in an elevated position above the range platform, comprise, in this instance, two inverted L-shaped members 58 and 52 which are rigidly attached to the terminal shield 36 and terminal block 32 by means of the screw 44 (see Figs. 1, 2 and 5). The L- shaped members 50, one on either end of the terminal shield 36, have a vertically extending portion 54 and a relatively short horizontally extending portion 56. In a similar manner, the L- shaped members 52 have a vertical portion 58 and a relatively short horizontal portion 60. The L-shaped members 58 and 52 are, in this instance, rigidly attached to the terminal shield 36 and terminal block 32 by means of the screws 44 extending through the vertical portions 54 and 58, respectively, thereof. The vertical portions 54 of the L-shaped members are somewhat longer than the vertical portions 58 of the L-shaped members 52, and the horizontal portions 56 of L-shaped members 50 are shorter than the horizontal portions 68 of L-shaped members 52. Accordingly, it follows that with the lower ends of the vertical portions 54 and 58 being in juxtaposition, the horizontal portions 56 are located above the horizontal portions 60 of L-shaped members 52, and that the portions 60 extend outwardly a greater distance than the horizontal portions 56. It is, therefore, obvious that the elevating supporting structure |8 comprises two members or supporting ears namely, the horizontal portions 56 and 68, of unequal radial lengths, with the upper members or ears being substantially shorter than the lower members or cars.

The diamtrical distance between the outermost edges of the upper horizontal portions 56 is slightly less than the distance across the opening I'I in the range platform l6. Conversely, the diametrical distance between the outermost edges of the lower horizontal portions 60 is greater than the distance across the opening I! in the range platform. These cooperative features thus permit the upper or shorter horizontal portions 56, as the unit I0 is raised, to be bodily moved through the notches 2| in the inwardly extending ledge IQ of the opening I! in the range platform |6, while the lower or larger portions 60 remain below the ledge iii. The unit I0 after being raised to its elevated position in such a manner may then be rotated within the opening I'I, whereupon the upper portions 56 will retain the surface unit H) in a displaced position above the range platform, while the lower portions 60, being located slightly below the ledge I9, will prevent the unit from tilting.

When assembling the surface unit II'I embodying my invention, the heating element I2, formed in any well known manner with suitable terminals 30 attached to the depending free ends thereof, with the bushings 28 associated therewith, has the terminal shield 36 mounted on said ends and, if desired, rigidly attached thereto by swedging the collars 40 thereof tightly against the depending ends. The terminal block 32, associated with the bushings 28, may then be rigidly attached .to the terminal shield 36 by the U-shaped member 31 and the depending ends 42 thereof. The elevating support structures or ear assemblies I8 are rigidly attached to the terminal shield 36 and terminal block 32 by means of the screws 44, which likewise rigidly attach the depending ends 42 of such terminal shield 36 to the terminal block 32. The heating element I2, terminal block 32, terminal shield 36 and supporting ears I8 (50 and 52) are thus functionally an integral structure and may be bodily moved as a unit. The hinged sectional supporting pan structure I4 may then be located about the heating element I2, as shown, completing the surface unit I 0. With the pan structure I4 located about the heating element I2, the bottom thereof extends, in this instance, intermediate the heating element I 2 and the terminal shield 36. The latching clip structure 22 retains such pan structure I4 in cooperative engagement as a functionally integral structure about the heating element I2.

The depending lugs I3, integral with the flange or lip II! of the pan structure retain the surface unit I upon the ledge I9 of platform I6, while the radial arms 29 of the heating element I2 retain such element within the pan structure I4 by resting upon the inwardly extending lugs I2 thereof when the heating element is mounted upon the range platform I6 in its normal operating position.

When the surface unit In is retained in an elevated position above the surface of range platform I6 or the like (see Figs. 2, and 17), for cleaning purposes, the upper horizontal portions 56 of the ear assemblies I8 rest upon the upper surface of the ledges I9, as previously set forth. The heating element I2 is thus retained in an elevated position above the range platform I6, as shown in Fig. 2. The pan structure I4, being positioned about the element I2, is also retained above the range platform where it may be easily removed from such heating element. It will be noted that, when the surface unit I0 is in the elevated position, the pan structure I4 rests upon the terminal shield 36 (see Figs. 2 and 5). The

,radial arms 29 thus do not rest upon the lugs I2. However, the heating element I2 is retained in its elevated position due to its rigid connection with the terminal shield 36 and ear structure I8. The pan structure I4 may thus be easily removed from the heating element I2, as hereinafter more fully described, without impairing the retention of the elevated position of such element I2.

When it is desired to thoroughly clean the surface unit ID, with such unit in its normal operating position upon the supporting platform, an operator merely grasps the heating element and bodily lifts the unit through the aperture IT. The upper ears 56 of retaining or elevating support structure l8 then pass through the notches 2| in ledge I9 until lower ears 60 engage 7 the lower sides of the ledge. The unit is then slightly rotated in either direction within the aperture. The ledge I9, after such rotation, retains the unit in an elevated or cleaning position by reason of upper ears 56 resting upon such ledge.

The pan structure I4 and heating element I2 are thus elevated somewhat above the surface of the supporting platform, (see Fig. 2) whereupon such pan structure may be readily removed from about the heating element. To do this the operator grasps the half pan structures 62 and 64 at a point opposite the hinge structure 20 and, unlatching the latching clip structure 22, pulls the structures apart as they rotate about the hinge pin 8| as an axis (see Fig. 17). The pan structure I4 is then merely lifted from the element I2 and placed in, say, a dish pan, where it may be thoroughly cleaned.

In addition, any extraneous material which may have adhered to the heating element I2 and terminal shield 36 may likewise be easily and completely removed therefrom while the pan structure I4 is removed and the heating element and terminal shield are in the elevated position.

After thoroughly cleaning the unit II), the pan structure may be again positioned about the element I2 with the bottom 68 thereof located intermediate the element and terminal shield 36. With the latching structure 22 again in closed position, such structure and the hinge structure 20 retain the pan structure in operative engagement about the element I 2 in such a manner that the pan structure may again support the heating element I2 upon the supporting platform.

With the pan structure thus again positioned about the heating element, the unit may be rotated back to its original position so as to permit the upper ears of elevating support structure I8 to pass downwardly through notches 2I in ledge IS. The upper flange III on pan structure I4 then rests upon the ledge I9 of the supporting platform I6 to retain the unit in its normal operating position substantially in the plane of such platform, as shown in Fig. 1.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 3, 4, 6 and 13 to 16, inclusive, I show a modified surface heating unit II, including the heating element I2, a terminal block I32, a modified pan structure II4, a slightly modified terminal shield I36, and a modified elevating supporting ear structure H8 cooperating with an elevating supporting spring clip structure I I9 to support the surface unit II in an elevated position above a supporting range platform or the like I6.

The modified supporting pan structure H4 is adapted to retain the heating element I2 substantially in the plane of the range platform I6 in a manner hereinabove described, while the supporting ear structure II 8 and clip structure II9 are adapted to cooperate with the range platform I6 or the like to retain the heating element I2 in an elevated position above the range platform, permitting the removal of the pan structure II4 whereby such pan structure and heating element may be easily cleaned.

The pan structure II4 comprises, in this instance, two half pan structures I62 and I64 each comprising a substantially semicircular or ringlike member H5 adapted to be cooperatively retained together by means of the hinge structure 20 and a modified supporting clip structure I22, and segmentally shaped bottom portions I20 which are, in this instance, rigidly attached to the respective ring-like members H5 to form a much as the rectangular gap I2I is suitable spillage-directing bottom for the supporting pan structure I I4,

The ring-like members II6 plus the segmentally shaped bottoms unite to form an open panlike structure or .vessel having a depressed central portion I66. An over-hanging lip or flange I10 is located about the upper periphery of the ring-like members II6 to afford means for supporting the modified pan structure II4 within the aperture H in the range platform, or the like, similar to lip I of pan structure I4 as previously described. The modified two half pan structures I62 and I64 are hinged together by the hinge structure 20 similar to the half pan structures 62 and 64 hereinabove described.

. The segmental bottoms no are, in this m slightly displaced from the semi-cylindrical ring-like members H5 stance, rigidly attached to and by means of outwardly and upwardly extending tabs I24. The tabs I24 are preferably integral with the bottoms I20 and may be spot welded or rigidly attached to the lower portions of the rings H6 in any other desired manner. The tabs I24 retain the segmental bottoms I20 slightly inwardly from the ring-like member I I5, forming an arcuate space II'I therebetween; and, in addition, retain the bottoms at preferably a slightly downwardly sloping angle from the diametrical division between the half pan structures I02 and I64. In other words, each of the segmental bottoms I20 slope from their innermost edge to the respective ring-like members H5 in substantially a uniform plane,

Accordingly, any spillage or extraneous matter passing through the open grid-type heating element I2 falling upon the bottoms I20.will be directed outwardly towards the rings H5 and away from the terminal shield 36. -Such extraneous matter-will freely pass through the arcuate space I I1 between the arcuate outer edge of the segmental bottoms I20 and the ring-like members H6.

The space ring-like members H5, in addition to permitting the passage of extraneous matter therethrough, retards or prevents the flow of heat from the bottoms .I20 to the side members II5 of the pan structure II4. This feature thus enables the side members Hi to operate at a lower temperature, than when the bottoms engage such side members, as hereinabove described.

It is to be understood that the segmental bottoms I20 may be of any desired size, being either rigidly attached to the ring-like members II6 through tabs I24 or loosely associated therewith by resting upon such tabs or the like, and that such" bottoms may vary in their radial widths. depending upon the width of the cooperating terminal shield 36. In other words, there may be a substantially uniform rectangular gap I2I between-the two segmental bottoms I20 above the cooperating terminal shield 36, as indicated by Figs. 6 and 13. The top surface of the shield 36 and the segmental bottoms I20 thus unite to form a bottom for the pan structure II4, Inaslocated along the line dividing the two semi-cylindrical ringiike members III and is positioned substantially above -the terminal shield 36 in line with the depending ends of heating element I2, such gap affords ample space for the passage of the lower or. depending ends of the heating element I2 to pass therethrough.

' Inwardly'extending ledges "2 similar to ledges 12 in the pan structure I4 are also either formed between the bottoms I20 and the the modified pan structure the finger at its upper end and block 32 at its lower end. The member I42 is within the ring-like members III or are rigidly attached thereto. These ledges I12 also afford means. for supporting the heating element I2 through the cooperation of the radially extending arms 29 as previously set forth.

The pan structure II4 may, therefore, .be located about the heating element I2 whereupon the segmental bottoms I20, in cooperation with the terminal shield 36, catch any extraneous material which may pass through the grid-like heating element I2, and the ledges I12, through the cooperation of the ring-like members II5,.support the heating element upon'the range platform. The sloping bottoms I20 and terminal shield 36 permit the extraneous material to be readily drained from the modified surface unit II without any danger of such material contacting the terminals. 1

As hereinabove stated, the hinge structure 20, associated with the pan structure I4, is used with I I4 to permit the two half pan structures I62 and I6 4 to be rotatively attached together.

However, the snap clip structure I22 is slightly modified from the clip structure 22 associated with the pan structure I4. The clip structure I22 comprises an elongated finger I82 spot welded, for example, to the ring-like member II6 of the half pan structure I64. The free end of I82 is bent outwardly to permit free and easy cooperation with the second half pan structure I62. An aperture portion I84 in the ring-like member II5 of the half pan structure I62. The cooperation of finger I02 with the crimped boss I84 thus affords means for retaining the two half pan structures I62 and I64 in cooperative engagement about the heating element I2.

The modified terminal shield I36 is similar to the terminal shield 36 hereinabove described except that the depending ends I42 are a great deal shorter than the ends 42, inasmuch as they are not attached to the terminal block I32.

The terminal block 22 in the modified unit II is rigidly attached to the terminal shield E08 by a Z-shaped supporting member I40, which is preferably spot .welded to the terminal shield I28 screwed to the terminal of such strength 'as to rigidly attach the terminal platform It (see Figs.

block 32 to the terminal other attaching means.

shield 36 without any However, it is to be understood that the terminal block 02 and the method of attaching such block to the terminal shield may be suitably modified, if desired. The heating element I2, terminal shield I36, and terminal block I22 thus form a solid structure.

The modified elevating supporting ear structure II8 includes, in this instance, an inverted F-shaped structure positioned at one end of the terminal shield I30, comprising a vertically extending portion I64 and having, at the lower end thereof, a central outwardly extending horizontal upper lip portion I50 and two lower outwardly extending horizontal lips I00 and iii at the lower end thereof (see Fig. 8). The upper end of the vertical portion' I64 is rigidly attached to the depending end of the terminal shield 06 byspot welding, for example; thereto. The central outwardly extending'horizontal lip I06 is formed substantially wider than the lower lips I60 and IN, and is positioned thereabove to cooperate with the upper surface of the-ledge of the range 3, 4 and ,8), The lower I86 is located within the finger and cooperates with a crimped boss placed position above the range platform.

lips I" and ltl are positioned'below the upper lip I it and located one on either side thereof to cooperate with the lower surface of the ledge of the platform It to prevent the heating element I 2 and the cooperating structure from tipping when such structure is in an elevated position with respect to the range platform It.

The lip I" is adapted to be bodily moved upwardly through a notch 2| in the inwardly extending ledge ll of the range platform It as the unit H is'elevated to its cleaning position above the platform substantially in a manner hereinabove described. However, due to the separation of the lower lips iii and "I, such lips will contact the under surface of the ledge II as the unit is bodilymoved into the elevated podtion andprevents the complete e of the elevating support structure lit'therethrough. By rotating the unit slightly, so that the central lip I56 rests on ledge It, the unit will be partially retained in its elevated position, the remaining necessary support being provided by spring clip H9, as subsequently set forth.

The supporting spring lip structure III is an irregularly V-shaped latch-like member rigidly attached to the second end of the terminal shield lit. Such structure is composed of a resilient metal which permits the clip ill to snap about the ledge IS in the platform It as the heating unit is lifted therethrough substantially as here inafter described. -A substantially horizontal retaining surface I" is located near the lower end of the clip structure III for cooperating with and for resting upon the ledge ll in the range plate ll.

The modified unit H is assembled substantially the same as the unit ll hereinabove described, with the heating unit l2, terminal shield I including the ear structure ill and spring clip Ill, and terminal block 32 as a functionally Y integral structure. The pan structure Ill may then be'located about the heating element It with the bottoms thereof located intermediate the heating element and the terminal shield to complete the modified surface unit II.

The pan structure H4 is located about the heating element i2, when such unit is in its The panstmcture lllmaythenbsremoved fromtheheatingelementlibyunbiaslngthe' clipstructurelll,permittingthetwoporticnsof thepanstructuretorotateaboutthehmgestmeture 2|. Thisaction,in-turn, permits hepan structuretobereadilyremovedfromtheheathi elementandtobewashedorcleanedinanydesirable manner. After thoroughly and satisfactorilycleaning thesupportingpanstrueturel and heating element ,nmhpanstmcture ill may be positioned about the heating element It withtheclipstructurelflagainreengagedto retainthehaii'panstructureslllandltlineooperative engagement about the heating element 'lheunitllmaythenbereturnedtoitsoperativepositionupontherangeplatformbybiasing inwardlythespringclip Ill,p'artiallyiowering theunitandrotatingsuchimitiLsothatthe upperpartlttofearsttuetm'elllmaydrop through the notch ll within the ledge in the range platform ll. Thelmit ll may then be completely lowered through the platform ll, whereupon the upper outwardly extendingflange l'llofthepanstructurelllwillrestwonthe ledge II andretain the surface unitinits normal operating podtion upon the range platform ina well known manner.

It is, therefore, obvious that the range surface unit embodying my invention, which includes a removable supporting pan structure, may be easily retained in an elevated or cleaning position above the range platform, permitting such pan structure to be readily removed therefrom, and that accordingly, such pan structure and heating element may be easily cleaned without impairing the operation of the heating element in anymanner whatsoever. p

Referring toPigs. l8, 19and20,Ishowanldditionalmodiiiedhingedpanstructurelliinwhich the hinge structure is located directly under a portion of the pan. This arrangement permits normal operating position, as shown in Pig. 3, and a is adapted to retain such heating element and amociated structure, namely, the terminal shield i30andtheterminalblockfl,upontherange platform It in the operative position in a well knownmanner. Theelevatingstructureslitand lilarealsoadaptedtocooperatewiththerange platform, or the like, for supporting the imit H in an elevated position upmthe platform.

Whenitisdesiredtocleanthemodifledunitli anoperator angularlyorpartiallyliitstheunit throughthe aperture [1 sothatthehoriaontal portionorupperlipilloftheearstructurelll isthusthroughthenotchll (therebeing onlyonenotchinthisinatanee), whereuponthe unitmayberotatedwithintheaperture. After thesuriaceunitll ispartiallyelevatedandrotatedwithintheapertm'ellintheplatformll, withtheupperliplllofearstructurelltpositioned upon the ledge It, theunit ll may be completely elevated. With such actimb'the' springcliplllwiliflrstbehiasedinwardlybytbe ledge ilandthemuponacontinuedelevationof theunit ll,snap outovertheledge II. Theretaininrsurface lllwillthenrestuponthe w aurfaceoftheledge l0 andretaintheunit ll,in cooperaticnwith theearstructure Il8,in adis- 'tothe ring-like members by tabs III.

thepanstructure tobemotmteduponand removed from a supporting platform il'without re- 'quiringanytiltingofthe'imitorthepmviaion actionbetweenthetwohalfpanstructm'es.

It,therefore,followathattheangledinclinationofthehingell -mmtbeofsuehvalnsthat tbeaxistbereofwillnotcqitaetthepanstructureatanypoint. Howevenaudiamlelhould bea'sclosetoverticalasponlbletoenabiethe the pan being pan structure to be freely removed from the heating unit when in an elevated position.

With the pan structure 214 positioned about the heating element l2 in a normal manner, such pan structure 214 will function substantially as herein above described. However, when the heating unit is elevated and it is desired to remove the pan structure 2M, the two half pan structures 262 and 264 are separated, whereupon such structures willtend to drop down with respect to the heating element l2 (see dotted lines on Fig. 20) The amount of drop or inclination of the half pan structures will depend upon the inclination of the hinge pin 81, and such drop is limited by the supporting platform I6 and the cooperating terminal shield.

It is, therefore, obvious that a surface unit embodying my invention may be easily removed from its normal operating position, and that the pan structure included therein may be easily and quickly removed from the heating element, whereby such pan structure and element may be thoroughly cleaned and then readily replaced.

It will be seen that my pan structure is located about a heating element for normal support thereof. My pan structure preferably includes a ring-like member formed of one or more spaced or contiguous sections, the bottom being attached or otherwise associated therewith. Further, the bottom of such pan structure may comprise a plurality of solid or perforated segmentally or sectorially shaped sections which function independently or in combination with other portions of the heating unit assembly or the like to provide means for reflecting upwardly the initially downwardly directed heat and for guiding any spillage or sloppage of extraneous material falling thereon in a predetermined path away from the heating element terminals.

Various other modifications may be made in the device embodying my invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereon as are imposed by the prior art and the appended claims.

I claim as my invention: 1. In an electrically-heated structure for assembly to a range platform, the combination of a heating elementarranged in a substantially horizontal planeadjacent the plane of the, plat form during normal use and movable to an elevated position for cleaning, said element including a depending terminal structure extending downwardly from the plane of the element and movable upwardly and downwardly therewith, a.

pan'structureincluding a peripheral flange portion encompassing the element during normal operation and engaging said platform and a heat-reflecting bottom portion forming a drip pan and terminal shield and disposed at least in part below said element, said bottom portion of divided for defining comple-. mentary sections disposed on opposite sides of the depending terminal structure and hinge means for connecting said sections of the pan structure and affording separation of the sections when the heating element is in its elevated position to permit the pan structure including its peripheral and bottom portions to be removed from the element for cleaning.

, 2. In an electrically-heated structure for assembly to a range platform, the combination of a heating element arranged in a substantially horizontal plane adjacent the plane. of the platform dugring normal use and movable to an elevated position for cleaning, said element including a depending terminal structure extending downwardly from the plane of the element and movable upwardly and downwardly therewith, a pan structure including a pair of complementary segments disposed on opposite sides of the depending terminal structure, each of said segments including a heat-reflecting bottom portion extending beneath the heating element and shielding the terminal structure, and each segment including a peripheral flange extending outwardly from said bottom portion and resting upon the range platform for the support of the pan structure, a plurality of supports carried by the bottom portion of the pan structure for supporting said heating element during normal operation, means movable with the heating element for supporting the same upon the range platform in the elevated position of the heating element and hinge means connecting the segments of the pan structure and affording separation thereof in the elevated position of the heating element and removal of the entire pan structure from the. heating element.

3. Electrically-heated apparatus for assembly to a range platform, the combination of a heating element arranged in a substantially horizontal plane adjacent the plane of said platform during normal operation and adjustable upwardly to an elevated position for cleaning, a terminal structure depending from the element and movable therewith, means carried by the de-.

structure and each including a heat-reflecting.-

terminal-shielding bottom wall, an upwardlyextending wall and an outwardly-extending 'flange engaging the range platform during normal operation, projections carried by the upwardly-extending walls for supporting the heating element .during normal operation, hinge means connecting the upwardly-extending walls of said segments and providing for separation of the segments when the element is in its elevated position so that the pan structure may be re.- moved as a unit from the heating element and a clasp for maintaining the segments of the pan closed during normal operation.

4. A cooking device for assembly to a range platform, the combination of an electricallyheated element, generally circular in configuration and disposed in a horizontal plane adjacent the plane of the platform, a terminal structure depending from the element and extending diametrically thereof, a pan assembly disposed beneath the element and including complementary substantially semi-circular heat-reflecting segments disposed on opposit sides of the terminal structure, hinge means connecting said segments and permitting separation thereof for the re-- moval of the pan assembly as a unit from theheating element, a flange disposed adjacent the top of the pan segments for supporting the pan assembly from the platform and supports carried by the segments for supporting said elements.

5. The combination as claimed in claim 4 wherein said hinge i disposedwith its axis of movement oblique. i v

' WIILIAM J. RUSSEIL; 

